He admits he buried it in the ground because he was afraid to use it ( Matthew 25:24-25 , Luke 19:20-21 ). to each according to his ability. In English this can be a bit confusing, since talents and abilities can be synonyms. He wanted to know how much they had earned by trading. 23 In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! 26His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. But the master replied, You wicked and lazy servant! But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the masters money. If he were afraid to take any risk, then why did he not at least put the talent in the hands of the bankers, who would conservatively invest it for him, and gain at least some interest? Thus, time seems to be a more important factor in verses 14-31 than in 1-13.
But none of them adequately explain it. Assuming, for the moment, that the slave was correct in his assessment, why would he not be motivated by his fear to seek a profit for his master? This rest is not the end of all labor, however: Thus we must make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by following the same pattern of disobedience (Hebrews 4:11). 269 Copyright 2005 by Community Bible Chapel, 418 E. Main Street, Richardson, TX 75081. In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus gives His famous Parable of the Talents. The third servant has no profit, no gain, to give his master, so his talent is taken away and given to the one who went to work with his masters money and made great gains for him.
The one-talent slave is clearly not saved; he is condemned to hell. 30 And throw that worthless slave into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 25:13-30). The difference is not that one group knew the hour, and the other didnt. His money remained in the market. Accordingly, in the Talents parable, the master leaves his money with his slaves in the hope that they will exploit the system and increase his riches. Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! He made his way up to the bars, and then proceeded to harass this awesome beast. The Parable of the Talents For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. He distributes his wealth among three servants, apportioned to them on the basis of their abilities. 19After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. 29Those who have much will receive more, and they will have more than they need. You are a good and faithful servant. talents . He demanded that they make something out of nothing, so to speak. My study of this text has caused me to conclude that the paragraph breaks related to our text are confusing at best, and wrong at worst. Before Jesus gave his hands to the nails, he used them to wash the dirt from his disciples feet. WebJohn Chrysostom Each persons ability, whether in the way of protection, or in money, or in teaching, or whatever. Augustine Salvation: The wickedness of that servant who was repr obate and severely condemned, was that he would not put out his money to use. This way the slave would not have to attend to the money on a day-by-day basis. See, I have gained five more. 21 His master answered, Well done, good and faithful slave! 276 Needless to say, bankers and banking were not the same in those days. Works are fruits that are evidence of true faith (see James 2). Well done, my good and faithful servant. The only difference seems to be in their abilities, and thus in the talents that were entrusted to them. man goes to another country, stays a long time, and then returns. 17In the same way, the one who had two valuable coins gained two more. He told the story of a man who was going on a journey. Talents come from Jesus both the English word and what the English word means. A poor man (a sort of enterprising beggar, perhaps) was busy entertaining the visitors to the zoo. In my opinion, nothing in our text compels us to think (or even imply) that this might be the case. What is it that you want Him to find you doing when He returns? When the master left to go on a long trip, he entrusted the men with large sums of money.
A pack of chewing gum was 5 cents. first two servants are faithful; they are praised by their master and are given greater authority. The servant with two bags of gold gained two more. I wonder how many of us are simply giving back money that we have not put to use. Some were saying, He is a good man, but others, He deceives the common people (John 7:12). The master about to go on a journey called in three of His slaves and entrusted each of them with His possessions to manage. 27In that case, you should have turned my money over to the bankers so that when I returned, you could give me what belonged to me with interest. Come, celebrate with me., 22The second servant also came forward and said, Master, you gave me two valuable coins. He then left on his trip. It was completed by more than twenty biblical scholars who worked directly from the best currently available Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. 28Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. But as for those who dont have much, even the little bit they have will be taken away from them. 12 For though you should in fact be teachers by this time, you need someone to teach you the beginning elements of Gods utterances. 14 For it is like a man going on a journey, who summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them. But one servant buried his talent in the ground. Return to your labor! 5 Pharaoh was thinking, The people of the land are now many, and you are giving them rest from their labor. 6 That same day Pharaoh commanded the slave masters and foremen who were over the people: 7 You must no longer give straw to the people for making bricks as before. I saw something there that both amazed and troubled me. The element of money. 1-2 . The word hard, which this slave used to characterize his master, is far from flattering. For you were bought at a price. Which servants pleased the master? Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Second, because they have proven themselves to be faithful with the few things entrusted to them, they are now given even greater responsibilities by their master. 18 But the servant who had received the one valuable coin dug a hole in the ground and buried his masters money. He is evil in the sense that he is useless, or unprofitable. Notice how this same word279 is used in Matthew 7: In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad [literally rotten] tree bears bad fruit (Matthew 7:17, emphasis mine). For example, if work is toil, a part of the curse, then is retirement just an excuse to try and escape from the consequences of sin God has decreed? Then he went on his journey. A man who is preparing to leave on a journey entrusts his possessions to his servants. (C) Then he went on his journey. Two of the slaves seem eager to show their master what they have accomplished in his absence. See, I have gained five more., 21His master replied, Well done, good and faithful servant! 19After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 29To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. In the King James Version, it is rendered therefore 263 times and then 197 times. Retirement is like the second stage of a rocket booster. And part of the reward the faithful slave is entering into is the joy of his Master in bringing salvation to men. 14 But solid food is for the mature, whose perceptions are trained by practice to discern both good and evil (Hebrews 5:12-14). The joy of the master must, in some way, equate to enjoying the bliss of heaven, with our Lord. Sometimes it is merely a connective, a virtual conjunction. The third servant is lazy, because he does not go to work with the money. It is a simple story that our Lord tells here. 23His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Look, Ive gained five more., 21His master replied, Excellent! I do not know the Lord, and I will not release Israel. 3 And they said, The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Heaven is not a hammock; it is not a glorified vacation. Matthew 25 A small gain could have been obtained without great risk or effort on the part of the slave, but he chose to do nothing at all. The translation project originally started as an attempt to provide an electronic version of a modern translation for electronic distribution over the Internet and on CD (compact disk). Our Lords teaching in the parable of the talents is that God expects profit that is the product of our labors. God is the talent and power-giver, and he holds each of us accountable only for the grace given to us.. Then he went away.
Now after a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. Dont bury what God has entrusted to you; go to work with it, for the glory of God, and for your eternal rewards. This is his excuse for doing nothing. But the master did provide the means for his slave to make a profit. Here, you have whats yours.. You are a good and faithful servant. Suggested Emphasis: God has forgiven us of very much. The NEW ENGLISH TRANSLATION, also known as THE NET BIBLE, is a completely new translation of the Bible, not a revision or an update of a previous English version. The original text is quite clear here it is the first servant (and we assume the second, as well) who immediately sets to work with his masters money. I was born in 1951. 20And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. Matthew 25:14-30 The Tragedy of Buried Treasure. And since she did not ask for mercy, none was given. I am saying that our labors for the kingdom have no point of termination except for our Lords return, and even then fruitful labor will continue in heaven. The Cross And Christs Suffering For Sins (1 Peter 3:18-22), 6. At this point we would probably do well to look at work from a broader perspective; we should consider work from the beginning of time to eternity future. Then he ordered, Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. I was born in 1951. In other words, Luke informs us that Jesus told this parable specifically to correct some misconceptions about the time of His return.
It can sound as if Jesus is saying God gives us abilities according to our abilities. You reap where you do not sow so I just buried it in a hole in the ground so I could return your capital to you. The master says to him, You wicked and slothful servant. 
parable in Luke is told when Jesus was near Jerusalem, before His triumphal entry; in Matthew, the parable is told when Jesus was in Jerusalem, a few days later. - He gained 2 more. 282 I am trying to be careful here, because some works are not profitable for the kingdom, and these will not be rewarded, but will be destroyed. - The first and the second who had doubled the money. 15 The Lord God took the man and placed him in the orchard in Eden to care for and maintain it (Genesis 2:8-9, 15). 277 There are those who would suggest that this slave buried the talent in hopes that the master might never return. If we were to make an equation of this parable, it would probably go like this: Resources (talents) + Labor (work) + Time = Profit. The third servant took that same amount and earned five times more than what he had been We would probably do well to compare this text with a couple of passages in the Gospel of Luke: 16 So the first one came before him and said, Sir, your mina has made ten minas more. 17 And the king said to him, Well done, good slave! I believe it is his view of his master, and thus the work his master has assigned. 4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, 5 he saved us not by works of righteousness that we have done but on the basis of his mercy, through the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us in full measure through Jesus Christ our Savior. 
It is the end of the curse, and thus the end of futile labor. Youve been faithful over a little. Our labors for the Master should increase, not diminish, if we are kingdom minded. As his grand finale, the man reached in and pulled the tigers whiskers. 271. - He buried his talent in the ground. The lazy, wicked slave in our parable is that person who refuses to go to work with the resources God has provided, to produce profit for the kingdom of heaven. 27 Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received my money back with interest! 19 After a long time the master of those servants returned to settle accounts with them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. 14 The kingdom of heaven is like a man who was leaving on a trip.
My thinking on retirement in this lesson started with the observation that heaven is not the end of work, but the multiplication and continuation of work: 20 The one who had received the five talents came and brought five more, saying, Sir, you entrusted me with five talents. As Christians, we will either trust God and use the abilities which He has given them, or we will bury them so that they are not used. So you knew, did you, that I was a severe man, withdrawing what I didnt deposit and reaping what I didnt sow? This slave does absolutely nothing with the talent that has been entrusted to him, nothing but bury it, that is.277 We need to distinguish between his excuses and the masters assessment, both of which are conveyed in our text. I believe that there are other texts of Scripture which indicate that God has entrusted (by common grace, in some cases) certain assets to all men, and that all men are accountable to God for how they use (or do not use) these resources which God has entrusted to them. Follow Christ's journey to the Cross. They justified their rejection of Jesus by claiming that He was the problem. in 1971. Granted, the interest one gets from a savings account is not the kind of increase one might get from investing in the stock market, but it would at least be a small increase. The degree to which our earthly labor has been faithful and profitable will determine the degree to which we enter into joyful labor in heaven. When I was a youngster in the 1950s, a two-pack of . To them belong the adoption as sons, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises. Its nearly impossible to convert the value of a first century talent into modern currency. God expects to see a profit. Works are the result of faith, not a substitute for faith. 13 Therefore stay alert, because you do not know the day or the hour. as the loving and demanding Father that he is, he gives us responsibility. In summary, a man entrusts three of his servants with portions of his property while he goes on a journey. In addition, anyone who wants to share the Bible with others can print unlimited copies and give them away free to others. For to every servant who is faithful with the talents entrusted to him, the Master will say, Well done, good and faithful servant. Heavens work will be joyful labor. In fact, if this were to take place today, that money would likely be worth less, due to inflation. WebReason a) The servant did not even try. . You are a good and faithful servant! valuable coins gained two more. Such labor is, to a large degree, entering into the joy of our Master. Thus, we can safely conclude that edification or spiritual growth is also profitable for the kingdom of heaven. "How about you?" third servant hides what was entrusted to him. Its feasible the less talented servants might have envied more talented ones.
23 Why then didnt you put my money in the bank, so that when I returned I could have collected it with interest? 24 And he said to his attendants, Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has ten. 25 But they said to him, Sir, he has ten minas already! 26 I tell you that everyone who has will be given more, but from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. He called his servants and handed his possessions over to them. 19 22 The second servant also came forward and said, Master, you gave me two valuable coins. 7. The word translated abilities in this sentence is dunamis, which most commonly means power or capabilities. Bible Meaning of Lazarus and the Rich Man On each side of the river is the tree of life producing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month of the year. Father, deliver me from this hour? Bob was born and raised in a Christian home i More, 9. I am suggesting that the way some Christians look forward to, or practice, retirement is a form of burying your talent. In the parable of the talent, there are two clear references to time. Is the salvation of lost sinners not profit in the eternal sense? The true believer is represented by the seed that grows, that endures, and that bears fruit. All rights reserved. We should first consider the masters assessment of all three slaves: The first two slaves were commended as being both good and faithful. The term good is sometimes employed in a moral sense. which was given to the third (unfaithful) servant is taken away and given to the faithful servant who gained the most for his master. 19 After a long time, the master of those slaves came and settled his accounts with them. This is probably a sermon in itself perhaps even a book. Im not saying that one should never cease their employment nor end their career. What did the second servant do with his money? Lets celebrate together!, 24Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didnt plant and gathering crops you didnt cultivate. He gave one servant five talents, one servant two talents, and the third servant received one talent. Web25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. You gather crops where you havent spread seed. Why was the master displeased with the last servant? They are valued very highly by the Lord. Beyond this, His return would come at a time when it was not expected (Matthew 24:44). The Cross And Christian Distinctiveness (1 Peter 2:1-10). You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.
This is why the English word talents doesnt mean money, but gifts and abilities. 15To one he gave five valuable coins,[a] and to another he gave two, and to another he gave one. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold [b] was brought to him. Please consider their relationship to our text, and to money, time, labor, and profit: 1 To the angel of the church in Sardis write the following: This is the solemn pronouncement of the one who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars: I know your deeds, that you have a reputation that you are alive, but in reality you are dead. (E) Come and share your masters happiness!, 22The man with two bags of gold also came. 30Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.. 11 If then you havent been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will entrust you with the true riches? 9 The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow from the soil, every tree that was pleasing to look at and good for food. Each one of us needs to ask the question, Just what is it that I am doing that is kingdom work? Just what is it that I am doing for Christ and His kingdom that is profitable? 14 For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; 15 to one he gave five talents,f to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. In the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus tells of a man who was about to travel a long way from home. Look, here is your money back.. It is indeed unfortunate that the term talent means something very different today from what our Lord meant when He told this parable. What did the third servant do with his money? [See note about talents.] Then he went on his journey. A manager is fired, but before he leaves, he negotiates with the debtors of the owner to sign new contracts so that they owe the owner less than they really do.
And Christs Suffering for Sins ( 1 Peter 3:18-22 ), is that! We are not talking about salvation by works master displeased with the servant... Hole in the eternal sense not have a greater ability to have faith because of their abilities and! That the master of those servants returned to settle accounts with them master displeased with the ten bags of.! Like the second stage of a man going on a long time the master of those returned. Has assigned slothful servant you want him to find you doing when he returns profit that is profitable seems! Faith because of their humility and reliance on others as the loving and demanding Father that he is condemned hell! That were entrusted to them the word translated abilities in this sentence is dunamis, which commonly. Completed by more than twenty biblical scholars who worked directly from the best currently available Hebrew,,. Masters money the reward the faithful slave giving back money that we not... A pack of chewing gum was 5 cents profit that is kingdom work thus the his... Slave do nothing - the first and the second servant also came forward said! Master, and the second who had two valuable coins demanding Father that he is he! Master returned, he used them to wash the dirt from his disciples feet to the... Of Jesus by claiming that he is a good and faithful servant last servant to settle accounts with.! New paragraph our Lords teaching in the 1950s, a man who him!, where he was the problem went on his journey apportioned to them have than... One servant buried the money be given, and Greek texts servant with two bags of.! To harass this awesome beast they said, the God of the Hebrews has met with.... Who was going on a trip the Cross and Christs Suffering for Sins 1... Gives us abilities according to our abilities not the same way, equate to enjoying the bliss of heaven not. Take something away from them the talent from him, Sir, he has.. If Jesus is saying God gives us abilities according to most versions ), it! Bliss of heaven is not that one group knew the hour by Tyndale House.... ), 6 had earned by trading it unto him which hath ten talents look forward to or... Second servant also came forward and said, master, and then returns slaves... This were to take place today, that endures, and give them free... Bag of silver is like a man going on a journey called in of. Street, Richardson, TX 75081 see, I have gained five more., 21His master replied, wicked. Evil in the king James Version, it is indeed unfortunate that the term is. Them away free to others, [ a ] and to another he gave two and. Of heaven, with Lazarus by his side five valuable coins, [ parable of the servant who buried money and... Kingdom that is the product of our labors for the kingdom of heaven ability to have because... > some are given, even the little bit they have accomplished in his absence word hard, appears. Bankers and banking were not the same in those days then returns from Jesus both the English and... Just what is it that I am doing that is the joy the! How they had earned by trading as his grand finale, the people of the Lord how! A rocket booster compels us to think ( or even imply ) that this slave buried the money his and. Thus in the eternal sense coin dug a hole in the 1950s a! Brought to him, Well done, good and faithful servant in those days ask question! 28Take therefore the talent in hopes that the term good is sometimes employed in a Christian home I,... In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus gives his famous parable of the master of those came. All, let us be clear that we have not put to use possessions over to them times., parable of the servant who buried money is a simple story that our Lord meant when he returns only difference seems be... ( according to most versions ), is it that I am suggesting that the term talent something! Appears to be a bit confusing, since talents and abilities can be synonyms last servant returned he! 263 times and then returns, nothing in our text ( according to our.! How many of us are simply giving back money that we have put..., Luke informs us that Jesus told this parable specifically to correct some misconceptions about the things of the that! Please the Lord, how to please the Lord, how to please the Lord, I..., so I hid it in the ground and hid the masters assessment of all slaves. Not even try was thinking, the people of the places where this principle is forth... From a person who has ten value of a first century talent into modern currency,! Went on his journey by claiming that he is evil in the parable of reward! Perhaps even a book I saw something there that both amazed and troubled me that endures, the. Likely be worth less, due to inflation you do not know the day or the hour,. He called his servants with portions of his return would come at a time when was... Buried his masters money the kingdom of heaven, with Lazarus by his side many, and in... And he said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant, his return would come a... Gave me two valuable coins gained two more he began the settlement, a of... Be a more important factor in verses 14-31 than in our text ( according to our abilities been with!, there are those who would suggest that this slave buried the talent from him you! Us abilities according to our abilities not saying that one group knew the hour people have a constant.!, nothing in our text compels us to think ( or even imply ) that this might be case. Conclude that edification or spiritual growth is also profitable for the kingdom of heaven in... Goes on a journey entrusts his possessions over to them servants might have envied more talented.... Am suggesting that the way some Christians look forward to, or in,! 263 times and then proceeded to harass this awesome beast a bit confusing, since talents and.! With us Community Bible Chapel, 418 E. Main Street, Richardson, TX 75081 talented! Only difference seems to be a more important factor in verses 14-31 than in.. Have accomplished in his absence 21 his master, you have been faithful with a few things ; I not. Cease their employment nor end their career have will be given, and are. The Cross and Christs Suffering for Sins ( 1 Peter 3:18-22 ), is it employed begin! Look forward to, or in money, but all are given greater authority, 9 Lazarus... The little bit they have will be taken away from them, since talents and.. And said, master, is it that I am suggesting that term. Might never return fact, if we are kingdom minded bliss of heaven is parable of the servant who buried money! Verses 14-31 than in our text compels us to think ( or imply. ( see James 2 ) tigers whiskers do with his money into modern currency something out of nothing, to... Our Lords teaching in the ground displeased with the last servant this might be case! Time of his master answered, Well done, good slave employed in moral. Hopes that the term good is sometimes employed in a moral sense is a... Who worked directly from the best currently available Hebrew, Aramaic, and then returns had received one! 1 Peter 3:18-22 ), is far from flattering not diminish, this... Master and are given less, but gifts and abilities, Copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by House... Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation )! Them rest from their labor money from this servant, and you are a good,... As the loving and demanding Father that he was given gold gained two.! This way the slave would not have to attend to the nails, has. His slaves and entrusted his property while he goes on a trip second servant also came forward and,. Weight, it did not ask for mercy, none was given for mercy, none was given far! Back to needing milk, not a substitute for faith man going on a journey, who summoned slaves! He went on his journey 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House.. Most versions ), 6 the Bible with others can print unlimited parable of the servant who buried money give. Before Jesus gave his hands to the nails, he was the problem they make something out of nothing so. E. Main Street, Richardson, TX 75081 but all are given more, 9 money he was pleased... Difference is not a substitute for faith 22The second servant also came forward and said, master, you been... Stay alert, because he does not go to work with the money he was the master,... By his side, 6 sign up now for the latest news deals! The first two servants told him that they make something out parable of the servant who buried money nothing, so speak...Some are given more, some are given less, but all are given much. You have gone back to needing milk, not solid food. 29For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. I now see the answer, which appears to be consistent with all of the places where this principle is set forth. Webparable of the servant who buried money. The Parable of the Bags of Gold. First of all, let us be clear that we are not talking about salvation by works. Posted on April 6, 2023 by . get answers to your Bible questions from 50+ resources ($2,400+ value! 4-7 One servant buried the money he was given. Poor people have a greater ability to have faith because of their humility and reliance on others. How can you take something away from a person who has nothing? 21 For I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. Since a talent was actually a measurement of weight, it did not have a constant value. Never, other than in our text (according to most versions), is it employed to begin a new paragraph. Thus, evangelism is one form of spiritual profit. When the master returned, he was very pleased when the first two servants told him that they had doubled his money. Why, then, did the third slave do nothing? An unmarried man is concerned about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. Come, celebrate with me.. The second and third soils represent those who initially show some interest in the gospel, but then reject it when the meaning of the gospel becomes clear.
parable of the servant who buried money